Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB | BIG TIME: Big man Arinze Onuaku scores a timely 23 points as Syracuse wins Big East opener
By Jackie Friedman
Posted: 1/2/08, 11:34 PM EST Section: Sports
"Our shooting is at best just OK," Boeheim said, "and when (Greene)'s not out there, it goes down to not very good at all."
The Orange was up seven when Greene sat, and during the 10-minute stretch of his absence, Onuaku had 10 points and three rebounds, holding Syracuse's lead at five. And while no one on the team could compensate for the 3-point threat Greene creates, Onuaku's presence allowed the Orange to keep the offense simple.
"We were trying to get the ball inside," Boeheim said. "We were fortunate to do that. We made plays."
Early on, it looked as if the Orange (11-3, 1-0) wouldn't need a breakout performance from anyone other than Greene. Syracuse produced a 14-0 run, led almost wholly by Greene's ability from beyond the arc, to go up 19-6. But SU's hot-shooting spree slowed and the Red Storm (6-6, 0-1) successfully penetrated inside to come within two, while clearly shaking up the Orange freshman unaccustomed to the more physical Big East game.
"We made some mistakes," Boeheim said. "We're going to be saying that all year; that's just the way it is. Fortunately we had enough of a cushion that we could throw the ball away two or three times."
The Red Storm cut what was once a 14-point lead in the first half down to two, midway through the second half and never truly let the Orange out of sight.
But Onuaku's flexibility in the paint offered Syracuse a much-needed outlet during the tighter times.
"He can use both hands, and that's a big asset," Boeheim said. "I don't think many guys can do that. That's a big plus for him, a big plus, that he can use both hands so well."
"I'm like Eric Devendorf," Onuaku joked, referring to the injured Syracuse guard known for his ability to drive the lane on both sides of the basket. "That's what I like to say."
While Onuaku offered the most comfort, a pair of clutch free throws from freshman Rick Jackson and a turnaround jumper from Jardine were also in the mix.
"It's the Big East," Onuaku said. "It's here. I know we're going to need every body. The five starters and the people on the bench. Tonight was kind of my night."
The Orange was up seven when Greene sat, and during the 10-minute stretch of his absence, Onuaku had 10 points and three rebounds, holding Syracuse's lead at five. And while no one on the team could compensate for the 3-point threat Greene creates, Onuaku's presence allowed the Orange to keep the offense simple.
"We were trying to get the ball inside," Boeheim said. "We were fortunate to do that. We made plays."
Early on, it looked as if the Orange (11-3, 1-0) wouldn't need a breakout performance from anyone other than Greene. Syracuse produced a 14-0 run, led almost wholly by Greene's ability from beyond the arc, to go up 19-6. But SU's hot-shooting spree slowed and the Red Storm (6-6, 0-1) successfully penetrated inside to come within two, while clearly shaking up the Orange freshman unaccustomed to the more physical Big East game.
"We made some mistakes," Boeheim said. "We're going to be saying that all year; that's just the way it is. Fortunately we had enough of a cushion that we could throw the ball away two or three times."
The Red Storm cut what was once a 14-point lead in the first half down to two, midway through the second half and never truly let the Orange out of sight.
But Onuaku's flexibility in the paint offered Syracuse a much-needed outlet during the tighter times.
"He can use both hands, and that's a big asset," Boeheim said. "I don't think many guys can do that. That's a big plus for him, a big plus, that he can use both hands so well."
"I'm like Eric Devendorf," Onuaku joked, referring to the injured Syracuse guard known for his ability to drive the lane on both sides of the basket. "That's what I like to say."
While Onuaku offered the most comfort, a pair of clutch free throws from freshman Rick Jackson and a turnaround jumper from Jardine were also in the mix.
"It's the Big East," Onuaku said. "It's here. I know we're going to need every body. The five starters and the people on the bench. Tonight was kind of my night."
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Marc LeVine
posted 1/03/08 @ 9:34 AM EST
Players are stepping up nicely and scheduling St. Johns as the Big East inaugural was a blessing for a young team trying to find itself and develop as an effective unit. (Continued…)
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